A CROSS-CULTURAL SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF THE "PEACE" HAND GESTURE: A COMPARISON BETWEEN UZBEKISTAN AND FRANCE
Keywords:
cross-cultural communication; semiotics; peace hand gesture; nonverbal communication; Uzbekistan; France; cultural interpretation; globalization; symbolism; intercultural meaning; visual sign; gesture analysis; Peirce; Roland Barthes; cultural adaptationAbstract
This study provides a cross-cultural semiotic analysis of the “Peace” hand gesture, examining its meanings and functions in Uzbekistan and France. While the gesture is globally recognized as a sign of peace, triumph, and positivity, its interpretation varies significantly across cultures. By comparing these two distinct cultural settings, the research traces the gesture’s historical origins, semantic transformation, and cultural adaptation. The findings reveal that a single visual sign can embody multiple meanings, reflecting the unique social values and communicative norms of each culture.
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